"Just as they say, everything is predetermined by fate. To accept fate is to receive a normal destiny; hence, those who understand fate will not stand beneath a precarious wall. To die fulfilling one's path is true fate; to die shackled is not true fate."
Zhang Chen said with a smile, the meaning of this passage is that nothing is not predetermined by fate. To comply with fate is to accept a normal destiny; thus, those who comprehend fate will not stand under a crumbling wall. To die while living out one's path is true fate; to die by punishment is not true fate.
Mr. Wu was struck as if by lightning upon hearing this and stood there dumbfounded, continuously repeating Zhang Chen's words: "Just as they say, everything is predetermined by fate. To accept fate is to receive a normal destiny; hence, those who understand fate will not stand beneath a precarious wall. To die fulfilling one's path is true fate; to die shackled is not true fate."
At this moment, Mr. Wu was utterly deranged, his body trembling incessantly, and tears rolled down his cheeks:
"Everything is fate!"
"What you have spoken is the Supreme True Words, truly the reasoned truth. To hear the truth in the morning and die in the evening is enough! Your concise words hold great meaning; I am not your equal!"
At this time, Zhong Wubai had even changed the way he addressed Zhang Chen, directly calling him 'sir'.
Then Mr. Wu burst into wild laughter, his body gathering mysterious energies all around him, and what was previously dissipated fortune was now madly gathering, instantly restoring his once flourishing aura, enveloped by Vast Righteous Qi.
"There is also a second question." At this moment, Mr. Wu's eyes were blazing as they stared at Zhang Chen. He had a premonition that if he could find the answer to the second question, he might break through the shackles, ascend to a higher level, and spawn a trace of Pure Yang within the utmost Yin.
"If a runaway carriage is hurtling past, and you are the driver, and there are seven people blocking the way ahead, if you crash into them, the seven will surely die. If you deviate the carriage, there is one person on that path, do you save them?"
Mr. Wu at this point showed great respect to Zhang Chen, with Vast Righteous Qi swaying around him, indicating that he was at the critical juncture of breakthrough.
"I don't save them!" Zhang Chen replied without hesitation, firmly and decisively.
"What if sacrificing one life could save a million people?" Mr. Wu asked.
This was the extension and core of the entire dilemma, the most insoluble part.
"Still, I wouldn't save them! Even if sacrificing one could save the whole world, I still wouldn't save them!" Zhang Chen answered with steely determination.
Upon hearing this, Mr. Wu looked at the decisive battlefield and tentatively gave his own answer: "Is it because fate dictates it so?"
"No!" Zhang Chen shook his head.
Beside, Zhong Xiang looked at Zhang Chen and tentatively asked: "Is it because you don't know the good and evil of those seven people? If seven evil men died and one good person was mistakenly killed, it would be a grave sin."
"That's not it either." Zhang Chen shook his head.
"Please enlighten us, sir." Upon hearing this, Mr. Wu bent down and bowed to Zhang Chen with utmost respect.
"Actually, the reason is quite simple, because I'm afraid of becoming the one being crushed," Zhang Chen's voice was very soft, but it landed in the ears of Zhong Xiang and Mr. Wu like rolling thunder, Zhong Xiang instantly collapsed to the ground, pale-faced, while Mr. Wu seemed to have been struck on the head, enlightened by an immortal from the unseen world.
"Hahaha! Hahaha! So that's it! So that's it!"
Mr. Wu howled to the sky, his voice filled with agitation and exaltation, the originally restless Vast Righteous Qi boiled over, and strands of Pure Yang Qi Mechanism were born in his Divine Soul, forming an awe-inspiring pillar of Vast Righteous Qi piercing the sky.
With the appearance of the pillar of light, a grand and magnificent wave spread from it, disseminating across the heavens and the earth, through the eight directions, four seas, and eight wastes.
"Yang God! Zhong Wubai, that old man, has actually realized the Yang God!"
In an inconspicuous courtyard in the city, Xie Lingyun was talking with Xie Xuan, when suddenly Xie Xuan lifted his head to look at the light pillar extending into the sky outside the city, his eyes filled with disbelief.
"Wasn't Xie Xuan's Dao heart shattered by Zhang Chen? How did he break through and attain the Yang God?" Xie Lingyun's face immediately darkened upon hearing this—for the appearance of a Yang God True Man was crucial for the situation in the Northern Land.
Upon hearing this, Xie Xuan composed himself, his eyes on the magnificent pillar of light, speaking only after a long pause: "Go prepare a congratulatory gift and visit the Zhong Family Manor."
"Yes!" Xie Lingyun took a deep breath upon hearing this and then turned around to get ready.
In the great mountain harboring the Feng Shui Grand Tomb, a blaze soared skyward. Mr. Wuliu stood amidst the flames intently watching the mountains, searching for Zhang Chen. He believed that under the burning mountain, Zhang Chen would surely reveal himself.
The nine Flying Swords were fundamental to his survival, and he had to find them back at all costs.
As he concentrated on observing the mountains, suddenly, an indescribable measure of Vast Righteous Qi soared outside the city. Mr. Wuliu turned his head to look in the direction of that Vast Righteous Qi pillar, disbelief written all over his eyes: "Someone has achieved the Dao! They have directly realized the Yang God."
His eyes were filled with envy. The Yang God and Yin Spirit may seem like only a tier of distinction, but the difference is vast as being between Heaven and Earth, like a carp leaping through the Dragon Gate.
Achieving the Yang God allows one to wield the energies of wind, rain, thunder, and lightning between Heaven and Earth, unlike the Yin Spirit which can only manipulate material objects.
"That direction is the Zhong Family Manor. Has Zhong Wubai, that bastard, managed to attain the Yang God post-crisis? Damn it, how did he manage to seize the lead by a step?" Mr. Wuliu's eyes were filled with discontent, yet he quickly calmed himself: "Crown Prince, you must prepare the congratulatory gift, personally visit Zhong Wubai's manor. With the emergence of another Yang God in the Northern Land, it is bound to reshape the grand situation here. Our Prince Pingbian's Mansion must make sure to ally with this person. Even if he is merely a visitor, there is no harm in seeking association."
The Zhong family's foundation is in the Capital City, Zhong Wubai only came to the Northern Land as a passing guest, yet there is no harm in establishing an alliance. With Zhong Wubai advancing to Yang God, he will surely become the foremost of the Zhong Family, wielding control over them in the future. If we can cozy up to Zhong Wubai, wouldn't that mean the entire Zhong Family could be leveraged for our use?
Outside the barren wasteland, in front of a solitary grave, Chen Sanliang felt the vast undulation and suddenly looked up toward the Zhong Family Manor, his eyes reddening: "Impossible! How could this despicable villain achieve Yang God? How could he achieve Yang God?"
"I'm not reconciled! How could this despicable villain achieve it? Heaven is blind! Heaven is blind!" Chen Sanliang cursed in fury, his chest suffocated with anger, spurting blood directly.
Meanwhile, countless scholars and celebrities throughout the Northern Land gazed at the pillar of Vast Righteous Qi rising into the sky, a trace of excitement flickering in their eyes; with Confucianism producing another pillar of strength, how could they not feel thrilled?
Countless scholars ceased their search for the mysterious truths and headed straight for the Zhong Family Manor, eager to be among the first to form ties and establish connections.
In the courtyard, the aura of the Yang God burst forth mightily, pressing Zhang Chen and Zhong Xiang to retreat repeatedly. Zhong Wubai hurriedly retracted his aura, while Zhong Xiang quickly approached, his face full of disbelief as he gazed at his granduncle: "Uncle, you... you've achieved Yang God?"
This is the Yang God!
The world's top master!
"By luck," Zhong Wubai laughed heartily, his voice full of delight.
Zhong Xiang's mouth curved into an exaggerated arc, and with his granduncle achieving Yang God, the preceding curse on everyone and the accompanying pressure instantly vanished.
From this day forth, the Zhong family is not merely a vassal relying on the threat of the Great Victory Dynasty's Royal Family to survive. The Zhong family has become a family of the Yang God!
Zhong Wubai concealed his aura, showing no abnormalities, standing there like an ordinary middle-aged man, then turned his gaze to Zhang Chen and bowed respectfully: "The guidance received today shall be forever remembered, and I vow to repay this in time."
Zhang Chen glanced at Zhong Wubai, thinking his words were mere courtesy, realizing it would be foolish to take them at face value.